The children of today grow up almost as connected to their cell phones or other mobile electronic devices as they were connected upon birth to an umbilical cord. When they get old enough to drive, they’re hooked, 24/7. Unfortunately, driving while emailing, calling, texting or otherwise checking the Internet can be a fatal mistake.

[youtube:ZDvGdHqP9Co;[link:Texting While Driving Cause Car Accidents ];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDvGdHqP9Co&feature=related]

Recent studies show an increase in teen car crash traffic accident fatalities that’s attributable to two things: more driving by teens at night, and more driving by teens while texting or using a cell phone.

In the years between 1999 and 2008, nighttime fatal car crashes with teen drivers rose by 10 per cent. Night driving deaths increased at a lesser rate for older drivers, and driving fatalities overall declined in this time.

The Texas Transportation Institute’s Bernie Fetts, a senior research specialist, said in an interview with the Associated Press that the heightened death toll comes from a “perfect storm” of harmful factors. One such factor is driving at night, which is more hazardous for any driver of any age. Another factor is calling or texting while at the wheel, thus compromising a person’s ability to handle a vehicle.

Teens tend to think otherwise, since they know they send text messages with ease. But texting is still a distraction, diverting them from giving their full attention to driving. And momentary inattention while driving can be fatal. Indeed, the yearly toll for drivers calling, emailing or texting is about 6,000 persons dead and 500,000 injured. Were those texts worth it?

Increasingly, Americans are recognizing the dire consequences of calling and texting while driving. So far, 23 states have passed laws banning texting while driving. The national organization FocusDriven was formed to fight distracted driving via cell phones or texting in much the same way Mothers Against Drunk Driving was formed to fight DUI accidents.

Talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey has weighed in with her own initiative, a pledge signup by teens called a “No Phone Zone.” By signing, teens avow that they will not text or use their cell phone while driving.

Jim S. Adler & Associates strongly supports such safe driving measures and urges everyone to save their texts and phone calls for a proper time – when they aren’t driving a multi-ton vehicle at high speeds in complex traffic. Today’s teens may think such texting and calling won’t divert them from driving safely, but those who have perished in texting car accidents prove otherwise. Texting car crash accidents can happen, and that unexpected first time may prove to be a fatal last time.

Jim S. Adler & Associates is a longtime Texas personal injury law firm with offices in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Channelview. The law firm offers a free case review and represents victims of car, auto, truck, SUV, motorcycle, bus and other traffic accidents, as well as drunk driving accidents.

Truck and bus accidents often occur as a result of distracted drivers. One of the biggest culprits is the use of cell phones to text while the commercials drivers are on the road. The Department of Transportation is hoping their new law puts a dent in the number of distracted drivers on the road.

A couple of weeks ago, the Department of Transportation passed new rules that prohibits truck and bus drivers from texting while they are driving. Those who are caught breaking the law face criminal or civil fines of up to $2,750.

The move is meant to cut down on the increasing amount of technology and gadgetry found in commercial trucks and buses. The technology has been found to be a distraction to the drivers and may lead to an increase in accidents. Besides increased use of cell phones for texting and talking, truckers increasingly use computers on their dash to talk with dispatchers. Use of the phones and computers remains frequent while driving. The new law attempts to stimy the use of texting while driving, but does not yet address the increased use of the on dash computers.

Interestingly, research has shown that texting while driving requires the driver to take their eyes off the road for as long as five seconds. Truckers who text are up to twenty three times more likely to get into an accident than those that don’t.

The law banning texting is a good first step in an effort to improve safety on the roads.

Distracted drivers on the road can lead to accidents. While it is an important first step to create laws that help protect others on the road, accidents still happen. If you have been injured in a bus or commercial truck accident, it’s a good idea to speak with an injury lawyer about your options.

Being the victim of a truck or bus accident can be a stressful situation. It’s a good idea to speak with NJ injury attorneys about your case. New Jersey injury law firms can help you to you understand your rights and educate you about your situation.

On December 1st, 2009 Colorado State Govenor Ritter signed into law a bill outlawing text messaging while driving. The new law will make texting and driving a Class A driving infraction.

The Denver Post Article is linked below:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12498806 The new law, which will be Colorado State Statute 42-4-239, prohibits use of cellphones for drivers under 18 years of age, and texting for any drivers. The texting language is below: A person eighteen years of age or older shall not use a wireless telephone for the purpose of engaging in text messaging or other similar forms of manual data entry or transmission while operating a motor vehicle.

The law also states that no one under the age of eighteen is allowed to use a cell phone while driving: An operator of a motor vehicle shall no be cited for a violation of subsection (3) of this section unless the operator was eighteen years of age of older and a law enforcement officer saw the operator use a wireless telephone for the purpose of purpose of engaging in text messaging or other similar forms of manual data entry or transmission. (7) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to authorize the seizure and forfeiture of a wireless telephone, unless otherwise provided by law. (8) This section does not restrict operation of an amateur radio station by a person who holds a valid amateur radio operation license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

The text of the entire statute: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/349F9CCA2B83CD5087257537001A2BB0?open&file=1094_enr.pdf

The fines and surcharges for violating this statute are:

$ 50.00 Fine and a $6.00 Surcharge for a First Offense $100.00 Fine and a $6.00 Surcharge for a Second Offense

Josh McDowell is a Colorado Springs Attorney practicing in DUI, domestic violenceand personal injury matters. As a Colorado Springs Personal Injury lawyer his law firm handles auto accidents, slip and falls, and other injury matters.

On December 1st, 2009 Governor Ritter signed into law a bill criminalizing text messaging while driving. The new law will make texting and driving a Class A driving infraction. The new law recognizes the inherent danger in texting while driving, however, the law doesn’t go far enough for many proponents of stricter legislation regarding the use of cell phones in vehicles. When the bill was originally introduced it carried language prohibiting the use of cell phones in vehicles unless a hands free device was used. After meeting opposition from both sides of the aisle over the cell phone usage restrictions, the law will only prohibit drivers under the age of eighteen from using cell phones while driving. As texting is a relatively new phenomenon, there is not significant data on point to show just how dangerous cell phone use (including texting) truly is. As more data emerges on cell phone use and its correlation to car accidents, expect more legislation to arise across the country.

Please see the article from the Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12498806 The law, which will be Colorado State Statute 42-4-239, prohibits use of cellphones for drivers under 18 years of age, and texting for any drivers. The pertinent texting language is below:

“A person eighteen years of age or older shall not use a wireless telephone for the purpose of engaging in text messaging or ther similar forms of manual data entry or transmission while operating a motor vehicle.”

The statute can be found in its entirety below: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/349F9CCA2B83CD5087257537001A2BB0?open&file=1094_enr.pdf

The fines for violating this statute are:

First Offense: $ 50.00 Fine Plus a $6.00 Surcharge

$100.00 Fine Plus a $6.00 Surcharge for a Second Offense

Joshua McDowell is a Colorado Springs Attorney practicing in Criminal defense, traffic and drunk driving cases. His practice also includes Colorado Springs Personal Injury cases and medical malpractice.